Slug flow eliminator and separator

Abstract

A method and apparatus for substantially eliminating slug flow and for separating the liquid phase of a liquid/gas mixture from the gas phase thereof is provided. A deceleration table contained within a housing decelerates liquid slugs and causes entrained gas to separate therefrom. The decelerated liquid passes through orifices in the deceleration table and is subsequently discharged from the housing while the separated gas rises above the deceleration table and is separately discharged from the housing. The liquid and gas phases can be recombined or permanently separated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for substantially eliminating slug flow in a liquid/gas mixture flowing through a pipeline, comprising the steps of: providing a housing, said housing comprising a pipe section;   directing said liquid/gas mixture from said pipeline onto a deceleration table in said housing for decelerating liquid slugs in said liquid/gas mixture and for separating gas from said liquid slugs, said deceleration table extending longitudinally along said housing and having a front end at which said liquid/gas mixture is received thereupon and having a plurality of orifices and an overflow gap between said deceleration table and said housing through which liquid, including decelerated liquid from said liquid slugs, passes;   discharging said separated gas through at least one outlet from a vapor chamber in said housing for accommodating said gas;   discharging said decelerated liquid through at least one outlet from a liquid collection chamber in said housing for accommodating said decelerated liquid.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said housing has a diameter which is up to six times greater than that of said pipeline. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said deceleration table further includes a deceleration ramp located at a second end thereof opposite said first end, said deceleration ramp preventing said liquid slugs from inpinging upon the portion of said housing adjacent said second end. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of providing means in said liquid collection chamber for dampening waves therein and for separating solid particles from said decelerated liquid. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 further including the step of recombining said decelerated liquid and said separated gas. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 further including the step of separately discharging said decelerated liquid and said separated gas to further processing equipment. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 wherein said steps occur at a gathering station. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid/gas mixture comprises petroleum and natural gas. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for substantially eliminating slug flow in a liquid/gas mixture flowing through a pipeline, comprising: a housing, said housing comprising a pipe section and at least one inlet for receiving said liquid/gas mixture from said pipeline;   a deceleration table in said housing for decelerating liquid slugs in said liquid/gas mixture and for separating gas from said liquid slugs, said deceleration table extending longitudinally along said housing and having a first end at which said liquid/gas mixture is received thereupon from said inlet and having a plurality of orifices through which liquid, including decelerated liquid from said liquid slugs, passes:   two opposing overflow gaps between said deceleration plate and said housing through which liquid, including decelerated liquid from said liquid slugs, passes;   a vapor chamber in said housing for accommodating said separated gas, said vapor chamber having at least one outlet for discharging said gas from said housing;   a liquid collection chamber in said housing for accommodating said decelerated liquid, said liquid chamber having at least one outlet for discharging said liquid from said housing.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said deceleration table is oriented in a substantially horizontal position. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said deceleration table further includes a deceleration ramp located at a second end thereof opposite said inlet, said deceleration ramp preventing said liquid slugs from impinging upon the portion of said housing adjacent said second end. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a pig receiver mounted upon said housing and a pair of rails upon said deceleration table for directing a pig into said pig receiver. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 9 adapted for use at a gathering station wherein said decelerated liquid and said separated gas are discharged separately to further processing equipment. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the diameter of said housing is greater than the diameter of said pipeline. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the diameter of said housing is up to six times greater than the diameter of said pipeline. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 9 further including means located in said liquid collection chamber for dampening waves therein and for separating solid particles from said decelerated liquid. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for dampening waves and separating solid particles includes one or more perforated baffles. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 9 including means for recombining said decelerated liquid and said separated gas downstream from said apparatus. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said recombining means includes a piping arrangement joining said vapor chamber and liquid collection chamber outlets with a pipeline downstream from said apparatus. 
     
     
       20. A system for extracting a liquid/gas mixture which includes petroleum from at least one undersea oil well and for separating the liquid portion of said mixture from the gaseous portion thereof, comprising: at least one pipeline from each said oil well;   at least one apparatus fixed to each said pipeline for substantially eliminating slug flow in said liquid/gas mixture flowing through each said pipeline comprising: a housing, said housing comprising a pipe section and at least one inlet for receiving said liquid/gas mixture from said pipeline;   a deceleration table in said housing for decelerating liquid slugs in said liquid/gas mixture and for separating gas from said liquid slugs, said deceleration table extending longitudinally along said housing and having a first end at which said liquid/gas mixture is received thereupon from said inlet and having a plurality of orifices through which liquid, including decelerated liquid from said liquid slugs, passes;   two opposing overflow gaps between said deceleration plate and said housing through which liquid, including decelerated liquid from said liquid slugs, passes;   a vapor chamber in said housing for accommodating said separated gas, said vapor chamber having at least one outlet for discharging said gas from said housing;   a liquid collection chamber in said housing for accommodating said decelerated liquid, said liquid chamber having at least one outlet for discharging said liquid from said housing;     a gathering station connected to each said pipeline;   at least one said apparatus for substantially eliminating slug flow, said apparatus being fixed to said gathering station and further causing the liquid portion of said liquid/gas mixture flowing through each said pipeline to separate from the gaseous portion thereof.